In February 2012, Uganda's parliament re-introduced a proposed Anti-Homosexuality Bill. Under the bill, gay and lesbian people in Uganda could face the death penalty for so-called “aggravated homosexuality” – a definition which includes consensual sexual conduct. The bill could significantly hamper the work of human rights defenders and others who find themselves in conflict with the law merely by carrying out their legitimate activities.

Legislation

Male to male relationships: Not legal

Punishments for male to male relationships: Imprisonment of 10 years or more

Female to female relationships: Not legal

Marriage and substitutes for marriage: No law

Gay or lesbian able to serve in the armed forces: No

Article 31 (2a) of the constitution, as well as provisions of the Ugandan Penal Code Act, prohibit same sex relationships. Although the bill enjoys ample support across Uganda, Western governments have piled pressure on Kampala to stop the legislation on human rights grounds.

The Ugandan Parliament has approved the creation of a new parliamentary standing committee on human rights that will be tasked with monitoring government compliance with human rights (source: ilga.com).

The report describes the experiences of people who face discrimination because of their sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression.

LGBT organizations

- Sexual minorities in Uganda (SMUG): homepage is under construction

Sexual Minorities Uganda is a non-profit, non-governmental organisation that works towards achieving full legal and social equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender people in Uganda.It is the umbrella organization of all homosexual organizations in Uganda.

FARUG strives for the attainment of full equal rights of lesbians, bisexuals, transgender and intersexual (LBTI) women as well the removal of all forms of discrimination based on sexual orientation. We work to empower, lobby and press for the recognition of same sex relationships, especially for lesbians in Uganda and thereby allow them to attain full equal rights and freedom in all aspects of life.

Uganda Report of Violations Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity 2016 published by Human Rights Awareness and Promotion Forum is intended to act as an evidence based advocacy tool in bringing to the fore the marginalisation suffered by persons in Uganda that are perceived to be or actually identify as LGBTI. It shows violations as perpetrated by the state actors and non-state actors. The report uses facts of some of the documented incidents to illustrate the violations. It also has various recommendations to different stakeholders, which recommendations are intended to improve the observance of the rights of LGBTI persons in Uganda.

Country Data

The country data was collected June-July 2012. Please note that reliable information is difficult to obtain for many countries on violations of LGBT people's human rights, the enforcement of legislation etc. Local LGBT organisations and networks are listed in the capacity of human rights defenders.

In many countries where male homosexual acts are criminalized, no laws exist on female-to-female relationships and so those are listed as "legal". However, this does not mean that women are not targeted by state and police persecution.

Recommendations

As a result of close collaboration between activists, development professionals and academics, the Institute of Development Studies (IDS) have published a collection of articles relating to the intersection between gender, sexuality and social justice. Read and learn from these 32 different angles from all over the world on this pertinent issue.

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